Majority of vehicles given to DCE's broken down

Accra, June 9, GNA - Mr Charles Bintim, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, on Thursday said the short chassis Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles allocated to the district assemblies in 1994 for the use of District Chief Executives had broken down beyond repair by 2000.
"However, the few which were still serviceable, 23, in number were disposed of under a trade-in-agreement by the previous government with African Automobile Limited, who were to supply 110 4WD Hyundai Galloper 11 station wagons to the Ministry for use by District Chief Executives (DCE)," the Minister told Parliament when he appeared before the House to answer questions. Mr Bintim was responding to a question from Ms Akua Dansua, NDC-North Dayi, on how the Mitsubishi vehicles used by DCEs between 1996 and 2000 were disposed of.
The Minister said African Automobile Limited subsequently disposed of 22 of the used Pajero vehicles and the proceeds were used to partly defray the cost of the 110 new Hyundai Gallopers, which were to be supplied by the Company. "The total amount realised from the sale of the Pajeros was 61,085.00 dollars. It should be noted that the vehicles were duly valued by Intercity STC Coaches Limited before the sale."
Responding to another question, Mr Bintim said the Ministry had no immediate plans to "compulsorily force district assemblies to set aside part of the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) for the development of sports. He was answering a question from Mr Joseph Tsatsu Agbenu, NDC-Afram Plains North, as to what the Ministry would do to make it compulsory for district assemblies to set aside part of their DACF for the development of sports.
The Minster said assemblies were already complaining about the present arrangement where they were being made to use about 49 per cent of the DACF in specific areas. In a related development, the Minister said the Kpando and Afram Plains District Assemblies were part of areas along the Volta Lake to benefit from the supply of new boats to transport traders. The Minister was responding to a question on what financial assistance the Ministry could give to Kpando and Afram Plains District Assemblies to purchase the second drive or engine for the Fourth Republic Ferry now operating on only one engine.
Mr Bintim said: "It is expected that the wooden boat for Afram Plains District Assembly would be completed by the end of the year. Therefore, by December, at least one wooden boat would be available in the two areas."